Checking cervix

[firsttimeTTC2021]

Hi,

Have seen a few people mention they check their cervix, and saying it's low/soft etc.

Could anyone explain to me what I'd be checking for? Have never done this. Does it change throughout our cycles? and then change again if pregnant?

Thought I'd ask here for any first hand advice before entering down the google rabbit hole!!

Thanks!

Honestly, I'm in the same boat here. I check quite often and sometimes throughout the day, but the cervix changes so much... I hear it's not that reliable, and I stopped trusting this method last month. It was super high up but then I still had my period anyway despite what Google said should happen. Perhaps it's different for everyone, but normally for me it'd be low. With that out of the way though;

From what I've read though, you're first checking to see if the cervix is high or low. High meaning it takes some effort to reach it, so like your whole finger. Low is like part of your finger. (Not an expert, just going off what I understand from Google and personal experience).

The next thing you check for is if it's soft or firm. Soft more like the lips and firm more like the tip of your nose. So says Google

The other thing is the opening. This has to be one of the more confusing ones for me. You're feeling for that little indent on the cervix and seeing if it's slightly open or slightly closed. If you check more often, you'll probably be able to tell the difference. I find it difficult.

I will say, the cervix changes often. I hear others even saying theirs changes within the hour. I know mine's changed within just one shower! Quite interesting, but I would not use this as a sure fire way to tell if you're pregnant or not. How it changes during pregnancy, I can't say. Still working on that one, so hopefully some others can explain that one.

@JDIRBL97

Honestly, I'm in the same boat here. I check quite often and sometimes throughout the day, but the cervix changes so much... I hear it's not that reliable, and I stopped trusting this method last month. It was super high up but then I still had my period anyway despite what Google said should happen. Perhaps it's different for everyone, but normally for me it'd be low. With that out of the way though;

From what I've read though, you're first checking to see if the cervix is high or low. High meaning it takes some effort to reach it, so like your whole finger. Low is like part of your finger. (Not an expert, just going off what I understand from Google and personal experience).

The next thing you check for is if it's soft or firm. Soft more like the lips and firm more like the tip of your nose. So says Google

The other thing is the opening. This has to be one of the more confusing ones for me. You're feeling for that little indent on the cervix and seeing if it's slightly open or slightly closed. If you check more often, you'll probably be able to tell the difference. I find it difficult.

I will say, the cervix changes often. I hear others even saying theirs changes within the hour. I know mine's changed within just one shower! Quite interesting, but I would not use this as a sure fire way to tell if you're pregnant or not. How it changes during pregnancy, I can't say. Still working on that one, so hopefully some others can explain that one.

Thanks, that's really helpful!! I've been Googling a bit too, so I'll have to give it a go. Feel a bit silly having not checked before, I had honestly never even heard of ppl checking their cervix before coming on here!

It's such a minefield isn't it. I remember at university being petrified I'd fall pregnant and here I am 10 years later realising it's not actually all that simple at all for most people!

Hey, in my experience, it's more useful to check the cervix for ovulation vs pregnancy - the latter is super unreliable!

I also find high vs low fairly changeable so I mainly check for openness and softness - for me, these change fairly predictably in the run up to ovulation. As a summary, it'll get softer and more open as ovulation approaches, which usually coincides with more cervical mucus. After ovulation, it tends to feel firmer and more closed again.

But it's just one signal - if it doesn't work for you then don't worry too much!

I feel you there! I don't remember when I actually started checking my cervix. It's been a few years of on/off checking. I'm naturally curious though so I had to test for myself as soon as I heard about it. I've got a weird thing about needing to understand anything and everything I come across lol.

I thought getting pregnant was fairly straightforward up until a few months ago, so I understand that feeling. I think there's some tracker apps you can find that will help with you checking your cervix. Like you can document everything and start to see patterns in how your body works. I heard someone checked at the same time everyday to be accurate. I don't know how well that works or if it's a good method, but it seemed to be working for that person at least. Googling this stuff isn't all that fun or easy lol. They'll pretty much all say the same. I've been able to get better answers from people on these sites and their experiences. The medical articles are nice and all, but they're not as in-depth as I'd like and don't get into every little detail. So that's what makes this a little tougher.